Multiple container holder and tissue dispenser having a detachable support means

ABSTRACT

A boxlike structure is provided having a removable lid with openings therein to accommodate the housing of a plurality of containers such as a tissue dispenser, a litter plurality of container, storage boxes, etc. A resilient C-shaped clamp has elongated resilient U-shaped members mounted thereon by a resilient clip which is adapted to receive and hold the boxlike member containing its multiple compartments. The mounting and retaining action of the C-shaped clip is particularly suitable for mounting the multiple container holder on top of the tunnel hump of an automobile.

United States Patent inventor Benjamin Wohl 1 l Berndale Drive, Westport, Conn. 06880 Appl. No. 29,198 Filed Apr. 16, 1970 Patented Dec. 28, 1971 MULTIPLE CONTAINER HOLDER AND TISSUE DISPENSER HAVING A DETACHABLE SUPPORT MEANS 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 206/ 19.5 R, 206/57 R, 221/46, 224/29 R, 224/4242 R Int. Cl ..B60r 11/00, Bd 83/00 Field of Search 206/ l 9.5 R,

19.5 B; 224/4242 R, 29 R [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,561,589 2/1971 Larkin, Jr. 206/19.5R 3,315,198 4/1967 Mathison 206/ R Primary Examiner--Leonard Summer Attorney.loseph Levinson ABSTRACT: A boxlike structure is provided having a removable lid with openings therein to accommodate the housing of a plurality of containers such as a tissue dispenser, a litter plurality of container, storage boxes, etc. A resilient C- shaped clamp has elongated resilient U-shaped members mounted thereon by a resilient clip which is adapted to receive and hold the boxlike member containing its multiple compartments. The mounting and retaining action of the C-shaped clip is particularly suitable for mounting the multiple container holder on top of the tunnel hump of an automobile.

PATENTEDUEC28I97I 3630.343

sum 1 or 3 INVENTOR.

BENJA M/N WOHL A T TORNE Y PATE-NTED UEB28 19H SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR. BENJAMIN WOHL ATTORNEY PATENTED UEC28 |97| SHEET 3 BF 3 INVENTOK BENJAM/IV I WOHL I %Z W A T TORNE Y MULTIPLE CONTAINER HOLDER AND TISSUE DISPENSER HAVING A DETACHABLE SUPPORT MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a multiple-purpose container holder which will accommodate at least a tissue dispenser and a litter container, and a flexible support structure for such a device.

A variety of holders for mounting tissue containers, litter containers, or other devices on motor vehicles have been suggested. Many such devices suffer the disadvantage of requiring some physical attachment to the automobile or other structure by which they are supported. These permanent-type supports restrict the flexibility of the device in that the articles retained are permanently positioned in one location, which is often inaccessible or inconvenient to the user, particularly the driver of a motor vehicle. The space limitations of such permanent mountings also restrict or limit the use of the holder to possibly a single function, such as holding a tissue dispenser.

Trays and other-type structures have been permanently mounted between bucket seats in automobiles to provide a console type of appearance over the humped section of the automobile, and other trays have been mounted which are weighted on the sides. The former console structure is limited to bucket-seat-type cars as well as to expense in construction, while the latter, weighted-type mounting suffers from instability as well as the fact that the articles or containers are not held in position in the tray.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved container holder and detachable support means therefor which overcomes some of the disadvantages cited above.

A further object of this invention is to provide a very flexible container holder and tissue dispenser and its related support means which offers greater convenience, performs a plurality of functions geared to the needs of the user, and is simple to use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a multiple container holder and tissue dispenser having a detachable support means which is economical to manufacture, efficient to use, and has few parts.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a holder which will house a plurality of containers for performing various functions without injury to those containers or their contents.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a detachable support means for the novel holder of this invention which is totally flexible and easy to assemble and disassemble.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In carrying out this invention in one illustrative embodiment thereof, a multiple container holder which is adapted to hold a tissue dispenser and litter container, in combination with or without other utility containers, is supported by a flexible resilient multielement spring clamp.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one form of multiple con tainer holder which may be utilized in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the container holder shown in FIG. 1 with the lid removed and the containers therein shown in different positions.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the detachable support means embodied in this invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the detachable support means of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows the multiple container holder positioned in its detachable support means and mounted on the tunnel hump ofa motor vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Due to the functions performed and the structure of this invention. it is particularly useful in connection with motor vehicles, and accordingly will be described in connection therewith. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited solely to use in motor vehicles, and has wide application to other uses which accommodate its structure and functions.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a container holder 10 is provided having a lid 12. The lid 12 has a plurality of openings l4, l6, and 18. As will best be seen in FIG. 2, the holder 10 is adapted to house a plurality of containers 20, 24, and 26. The container 20 has an opening 22 from which tissues 25 are dispensed. The opening 22 of the tissue dispenser 20 is in alignment with the opening 14 in the lid 12 to accommodate the tissue removal. The tissue dispenser 20 is readily available in the open market, and the tissues automatically pop up. making them easily accessible and removable from the associated holder 10. For the illustrated embodiment, the boutique-type tissue package is suitable.

A litter container 26 is provided with an open top 27 therein which is in alignment with the opening 18 of the lid 12 when the lid 12 is positioned on the box 10. The litter compartment 26 is provided with an insert of a disposable plastic bag 28 which may be removed and disposed of with its contents. Thus the container 26 may be continually reused by merely inserting a new litter bag 28 therein. Since the litter compartment 26 has a plastic liner, it may serve an alternate function of providing refrigeration when it is filled with ice. Travelers or others using the invention may wish to keep something cold, such as a baby bottle or a soft drink, or medicine or the like which requires refrigeration. Thus the container 26 may perform a dual function, either serving as a litter bag or a cooling means.

The personal purpose compartment or utility container 24 has an open top which registers with the slot 16 in the lid 12 when the holder 10 is closed by the lid 12. The utility container 24 may be utilized for a variety of functions, for example storing receipts, travel expense account books, first aid equipment, smokers items, or even including spare insert fillers 28 for the container 26. The utility container 24 and its associated slot 16 in the top of the lid 12 are optional in the present invention, with the main containers being the tissue dispenser 20 and the litter container 26 to provide for the convenience of the passengers in having the tissues accessible as well as a disposal means closely associated therewith. Providing this separate disposal convenience would eliminate, for example, the distraction of the driver in disposing of the tissue, and would encourage its storage in the litter container as opposed to merely disposing of the tissue and other refuse out the window of the car, or putting such flammable items in ashtra s.

E IGS. 3 and 4 show the detachable support means, in assembled form in FIG. 3 and in exploded form in FIG. 4, which functions to retain and mount the multiple container holder 10 previously described. Referring first to FIG. 4, there is shown a generally C-shaped spring clamp 30 having rolled extremities with a plurality of sawtooth gripping elements 31 along those extremities. The clamp 30 is preferably made of resilient material which when grasped and extended along its curved outer portions springs inwardly when released to grip the desired mounting surface along at least one portion of the sawtooth elements 3]. The generally C-shaped clamp may be made of spring steel or other suitable resilient material which provides the necessary clamping action. The innermost elements 31 may be conveniently punched out on the clamp 30.

Two generally U-shaped container holder retainers 38 and 42 are provided with member 38 having an elongated flat base 40 and retaining arms 41 extending upward therefrom, and member 42 having an elongated flat base 44 with retaining arms 46 extending upward therefrom. The retaining members 38 and 42 are secured to the spring clamp 30 by a resilient clip 32. The resilient clip 32 has a plurality of downwardly extending spring fingers 34 which define channels 33 and 35 on its lower side and upward extending fingers 36 which define a horizontal channel 37 on its upper surface parallel to the channel 33 on its lower surface. The spring clip 32 is mounted on the C-clamp 30 over member 36 with the relatively flat portion of the C-clamp 30 extending between the lower extending fingers 34 along channel 33 and with member 38 extending orthogonally thereto through the lower channel 35. Member 42 is then inserted in the upper channel 37 and retained therein by the upwardly extending fingers 36 of the retaining clip 32. The thus assembled structure is shown in FIG. 3.

It is believed that the flexibility of the aforesaid detachable mounting structure is readily apparent. For example, members 42 and 38 may be interchanged. Accordingly, the position of the container holder, if it is rectangular, for example, can be changed to suit the convenience of the user. Also, for some applications where it might be found desirable to use only one of the members 38 or 42, either one may be used to the exclusion of the other, or they may be used together. Furthermore, if different size container holders are desired to be used, different lengths of members 38 and 42 may be utilized without altering the construction of the clip 32 or the clamp 30 and without requiring an entire new supporting structure which would be necessary if the elements 30, 38, and 42 were fastened by some permanent means. Also, two L-shaped members can be used for the U-shaped members 42 or 38 to provide adjustable widths or lengths. The resilient clip 32 accommodates such a construction.

FIG. illustrates one manner of use for the present invention, in which the C-shaped clamp 30 is positioned on a tunnel hump 50 extending from the floor 52 of an automobile. The container holder is positioned on its support and held securely in position by the arms 41 and 46 of members 38 and 42. it will be apparent that other mounts may be made, for example to the arms of chairs, sofas, posts, etc. which would accommodate the gripping action of the C-shaped clamp member 30.

The multiple container holder and tissue dispenser with its detachable support means may be readily attached and removed, for instance in automobiles in the most convenient places that are readily accessible to the user. The flexibility of the support structure allows a wide variety of holder designs as well as the accommodation of different types and multipurpose dispensing and storage containers. The structure of the invention allows economy in manufacture, in that a number of parts can be utilized to accommodate different functions, the parts are few and simple, and are not readily subject to breakage. The container holder can be made of sturdy plastic or cardboard, or other suitable material, in a variety of colors to fit the decor of the use. The spring-gripping action of the clamp 30, the clip 32, and the retainer arms 41 and 46, provide the dual function of engaging and holding without defacing or causing material damage to the articles held or those on bl a tissue dispenser housed in said holder with one of said openings which is in alignment with an opening in said removable lid, c. a litter container housed in said holder with an opening which is in alignment with another of said openings in said removable lid, at least one resilient retaining member having arms frictionally engaging said container holder, e. a generally C-shaped resilient clamp, and f. a detachable spring clip mounting said retaining member on said resilient clamp. 2. The multiple container holder and detachable support means set forth in claim 1 having a pair of crossed resilient retaining members each having a pair of arms for frictionally engaging four sides of said holder, said clip detachably mounting said pair of retaining members on said clamp.

3. The multiple container holder and detachable support means set forth in claim 1 having a utility container in said holder with an opening in alignment with a third opening in said removable lid.

4. The multiple container holder and detachable support means set forth in claim 1 wherein said litter container has a disposable, removable bag insert therein.

- 5. The multiple container holder and detachable support means set forth in claim 1 wherein said detachable spring clip has a plurality of spaced, downwardly extending fingers forming an orthogonal channel on the underside thereof adapted to receive said clamp and said retaining member, and a pair of upwardly extending fingers forming a channel adapted to receive another retaining member.

6. The multiple container holder and detachable support means set forth in claim 5 having a pair of resilient retaining members, one positioned in said spring clip and held by said downwardly extending fingers against and orthogonally to said clamp and one positioned between said upwardly extending fingers parallel to said clamp.

7. The multiple container holder and detachable support means set forth in claim 1 wherein said generally C-shaped clamp has integral gripping means on its extremities. 

1. A multiple container holder and detachable support means therefor comprising, in combination, a. a container holder having a removable lid with openings therein, b. a tissue dispenser housed in said holder with one of said openings which is in alignment with an opening in said removable lid, c. a litter container housed in said holder with an opening which is in alignment with another of said openings in said removable lid, d. at least one resilient retaining member having arms frictionally engaging said container holder, e. a generally C-shaped resilient clamp, and f. a detachable spring clip mounting said retaining member on said resilient clamp.
 2. The multiple container holder and detachable support means set forth in claim 1 having a pair of crossed resilient retaining members each having a pair of arms for frictionally engaging four sides of said holder, said clip detachably mounting said pair of retaining members on said clamp.
 3. The multiple container holder and detachable support means set forth in claim 1 having a utility container in said holder with an opening in alignment with a third opening in said removable lid.
 4. The multiple container holder and detachable support means set forth in claim 1 wherein said litter container has a disposable, removable bag insert therein.
 5. The multiple container holder and detachable support means set forth in claim 1 wherein said detachable spring clip has a plurality of spaced, downwardly extending fingers forming an orthogonal channel on the underside thereof adapted to receive said clamp and said retaining member, and a pair of upwardly extending fingers forming a channel adapted to receive another retaining member.
 6. The multiple container holder and detachable support means set forth in claim 5 having a pair of resilient retaining members, one positioned in said spring clip and held by said downwardly extending fingers against and orthogonally to said clamp and one positioned between said upwardly extending fingers parallel to said clamp.
 7. The multiple container holder and detachable support means set forth in claim 1 wherein said generally C-shaped clamp has integral gripping means on its extremities. 